yellowfin tuna caught offshore fishing in panama near hannibal banks

April Fishing Vacation Report

April 2017 Fishing Report

April was an outstanding month for fishing on the Tuna Coast of Panama. Blue skies and no rain made for the perfect offshore fishing vacation weather all month long.

Seven groups joined us at the all-inclusive El Rio Negro Lodge for a first-rate fishing vacation. Each group luckily caught lots of different types of species this month. We found the large tuna, grouper, amberjack, wahoo and more.

We fished all our normal spots including Aguja Reef, Cebaco Bay, Gulf of Montijo, Hannibal Banks, Isla Coiba, Isla Jicaron, Isla Jicarita (the southernmost point of the Coiba Island chain), and Punta Mariato.

These waters, Gulf of Montijo aside, were a stunning blue—crystal clear with temperatures ranging from 78 degrees near Punta Mariato to 86 degrees at Hannibal Banks.

Possibly due to the clear water, there was difficulty in catching the typical live bait (blue runners and other similar fish caught on sabiki rigs) so we kept to artificial lures. Duo-International’s Rough Trail Aomasa, Halco sardines, Mizugiwa poppers, Shimano flat fall butterfly jigs, and Yo-Zuri Sashimi poppers—recently received in a wonderful support package from our sponsors—were all put to good use instead. The large tuna where boiling heavily this month and they where flying out of the water to get a taste of our poppers. It was a lot of action for our guests this month.

Whether you’ve got an itch to fish and your definition of fun under the sun involves pitting yourself against the game of the open waters or you just want to try something brand new and dive right into an unforgettable experience, look no further. Our lodge provides the comforts of home while immersing you into the culture of Panama. So don’t be afraid! Come take a grand fishing vacation here with El Rio Negro and make memories to last a lifetime. We look forward to seeing you all.